São Paulo

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São Paulo
<map lat='-23.55' lng='-46.6' zoom='9' view='0' />
Information
Country:
Flag of Brazil
Brazil
State: São Paulo
Population: 11,316,149
Licence plate: SP São Paulo
Major roads: BR-116, BR-381, SP-021, SP-070, SP-160
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São Paulo is the capital of the state which bears the same name. It is the largest city in Brazil with over 20 million people inhabiting the metropolitan area. Partly because of this, the city presents difficulties in gaining rides to the place you want to go. Paulistas aren't the most open people to hitchhikers, indeed in Brazil it's not too common. Truck drivers are generally a better bunch to ask and will be usually going further in terms of distance. The state of São Paulo has over 40 million inhabitants and statistically responsible for around 40% of the country's GDP.

Hitchhiking out

East towards Rio de Janeiro (BR-116)

  • Posto Farol

From Terminal do Metro Armenia (near Metro station Armenia) take bus 384 to Itaquaquecetuba and tell the driver that you want to get off at Posto Farol at Rodovia Dutra . It's a big service station and truck stop, perfect to ask around. It has a Shell petrol station. Presidente Dutra is the name of BR-116, the main motorway connecting Rio and São Paulo which passes close to the airport near Guarulhos.

  • Pedágio Arujá

Around four kilometres further up the road from Posto Farol there is a toll plaza in the city of Arujá. You can get closer by bus 384, the same that goes from Metro Armenia to the Posto Farol. The toll plaza has a lay-by to pull over, so some trucks stop there. Hitch further away from the toll booths, if you're too close you'll be sent further away anyways.

  • CEASA Guarulhos

For something different head to the CEASA (Central de Abastecimento de Alimentos) in Guarulhos. From here its possible to get a truck anywhere in Brazil, the size of the place is overwhelming at first. CEASAs are centres of sale for producers of food.

I had to sleep in the Ceasa waiting for the one truck going to the Bolivian border but the truckies looked after us and we had free showers and food - two anonymous hitchiking friends.

It is also very possible to hitch on the road (Dutra) near the bus stops. Simply ask for a intercity bus that goes to the dutra, and start hitching there. While some people do not like hitching directly along the highway, I had no problems getting a ride quickly. Most of the time, there is a wide shoulder, and a grassy area where you can stand. Many people stop their cars on this shoulder regularly, so it is not a problem for them to stop - two different anonymous hitchhiking friends.

South towards Curitiba (BR-116)

  • Posto Fase Quatro

From Terminal Tieté (Metro station Portuguesa-Tieté) take bus 164 to Itapecerica da Serra and get off at the exit from BR-116 to Itapecerica. Tell the driver to stop em saida da Biittencourt pra Itapecerica. It should cost you around 7 reais. From there walk along the motorway for around 300m until you get to Posto Fase Quatro with Shell petrol station. The ride with a bus is about 1,5 hours through all the São Paulo, but the bus passes close to the Metro station Cidade Jardim, so you can catch it there to save time. Another option to get to the posto is bus 282 also from Tietê, but the last one leaves at 6 pm. This one passes close to the Metro station Butanta and costs around 8 reais. Régis Bittencourt is the name of BR-116 connecting São Paulo and Curitiba. Here is the video made on the place.

  • Pedágio São Lourenço da Serra

From Metro station Capão Redondo take either bus 001 or 340 to Itapecerica da Serra and get off at Praça Belchior de Pontes in the town of Itapecerica. From the same praça take bus 030 to Jaquitiba (2.75 reais) and tell the driver that you want to get off at pédagio (toll plaza). Hitch slightly behind the toll booths. Another option to get to the pedágio is bus 282 from Terminal Tietê, but the last one leaves at 6 pm and on weekends 4 pm.

Northwest and North towards Interior of São Paulo State, Goiania and Brasilia

Make your way to Jundiai by train. From the centre of São Paulo go to Metro station Luz and get the A train. The fare is around R$ 2.80 Once you get to Jundiai station you will need to walk or get a bus through the city to either one of the Rodovias Anchieta or Bandeirantes. There is a posto de gasolina (petrol station) and truck stop a little north of the city on the Rodovia Anchieta. Lunchtime is a good time to find a caminhoneiro (truck driver). If not there are always truck drivers trying to fix their trucks. Have a map on you so you familiarise yourself with the many cities in the area when asking for lifts.

"I waited a long time at one petrol station because I was lazy and couldn't be bothered asking people. I did find a ride after two hours to Campinas which left me having to do the same thing again at another Petrol Station. I let a few rides go because many motorists didn't know the town i wanted to go to even though it was on their way" - The author and hitch-hiker.

North towards Belo Horizonte (BR-381)

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